Issue The belief that suffering fuels better art collides with pressure to monetise trauma online

Summary

The Music for Health and Wellbeing Initiative describes a tension inside music culture around mental health. Many songwriters and artists believe that suffering produces better art, and fear that being happy, caring for themselves or staying sober would cost them creativity and success. At the same time, online platforms push artists to turn personal pain into content. A 2026 Ditto Music survey of more than 2,000 independent artists and industry professionals found 86% reporting serious mental strain or creative burnout linked to pressure to package trauma for social media algorithms. Singer Noah Kahan has spoken publicly about trying to unlearn the idea that he must be in pain to make good music. The Initiative sets this against a growing push for wellness resources in the industry.